Editorial: Sen. Bruce Caswell's idea doesn't lack goodwill

Every year, parents who use state-issued Bridge cards (welfare) receive $79 to buy children’s clothes. It’s reasonable, as state Sen. Bruce Caswell recently suggested, to make sure the money is spent for its intended purpose.

Caswell, R-Hillsdale, stuck his foot in it, though, with legislation that would require the clothing allowance could be spent only in thrift stores. “I never had anything new (growing up). I got all the hand-me-downs,” Caswell told Michigan Radio, perhaps rather innocently.

The senator got a beating online as his comments were picked up by national publications. Many saw his idea as condescending.

To his credit, Caswell quickly changed course. Now, he’d like state officials to work with major retailers to develop a gift card program for the state’s welfare recipients. Maybe, Caswell’s office said, the state can even negotiate discounts on clothing.

His initial idea missed the mark, but not by much. The state should make sure that money for children in need is spent properly.